Journal entry Restoring health to 04/11/2002 the Snowy River Why the Snowy needs restoring The construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme in the 1960s resulted in the diversion of 99% of the Snowy River’s natural flow at Jindabyne Dam. The result of this and other human activities has been a build-up of sediment in the river, weed infestation and reduced habitat for native flora and fauna. 1 Journal entry What’s so special about 04/11/2002 the Snowy River No other river in Australia flows through such diverse vegetation: alpine meadows and Snow Gum Woodlands near Mt Kosciusko, the Montane Grassy Woodlands and grassland of the MonaroTableland, tall wet mountain forests, Warm Temperate Rainforests of the lowland floodplain, wetlands and coastal scrubs and Littoral Rainforests on the coast at Marlo.% Much of the Snowy valley and its remnant vegetation and wetlands continue to be important resting, feeding and breeding areas for migratory species from tropical rainforests in south-east Asia and wetland birds from Russia, China and Japan.% The lowland floodplain of the Snowy River and its rich wetlands are the traditional land of the Krowathunkoolong clan of the Gunai (Kurnai) people. This area still retains cultural significance for these people. 2 Journal entry The History Jindabyne dam 04/11/2002 Dam Wall 1958 Outfall Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority Act 1998 Snowy Water Inquiry Cobbon Dec 2000 Creek Snowy river Agreement of Victorian, New South Wales and Commonwealth Governments to increase the Mowamba aqueduct Snowy River flow by 21% within ten years of Cobbon corporatisation of Snowy Hydro-electric Authority, Weir and 28% in the longer term, as well as 70 gigalitres to the River Murray. The increased flows will be Current water flow Mowamba River achieved primarily through water savings. In making these water savings, the existing water entitlements of irrigators and South Australia will be protected. June 2002 Corporatisation of Snowy Hydro Mowamba Limited allowing increased flows down the Snowy. Weir Aug 2002 Environmental flows commenced when the Mowamba aqueduct was closed. The aqueduct previously diverted water from the Mowamba River N.B. In addition to to the Jindabyne Dam. providing $150 million for Next Milestone the enterprise, Victoria has allocated $40 million MMowambaowamba WWeireir Dec 2002 over 10 years for studies Establishment of the Joint Government and related environmental Enterprise, an entity owned jointly by NSW, Victoria works along the Snowy and Commonwealth governments, with $375 million River and in Northern of funds to source the required water. Victoria. 3 Journal entry The Snowy Project 04/11/2002 This Project aims to restore flows to the Snowy River through implementing water savings improvements in Northern Victoria and New South Wales, and undertaking associated environmental works. WATER SAVINGS PROJECTS In February 2001, the Victorian Government announced a $25 million package of water savings projects in Northern Victoria to be implemented as part of the Government's commitment to ensuring increased flows to the Snowy River. INITIAL PACKAGE OF WATER SAVINGS PROJECTS • Tungamah Pipeline Project – replacing the dilapidated channel system (such as Casey's Weir main channel) that supplies domestic and stock customers and three small towns north of Benalla, with a continuous piped supply. Preliminary design is being finalised, drawing upon recent studies of local environmental issues and alternative water supply sources. A reassessment of tariff arrangements is required before full-scale community consultation Casey's Weir main can proceed. Community acceptance is required for the project to channel diverting go-ahead. Completion is planned for the end of 2004. from Broken River to Broken Creek $ 1892 La Trobe Collection State Library Victoria 4 Journal entry The Snowy Project 04/11/2002 INITIAL PACKAGE OF WATER SAVINGS PROJECTS • Normanville Pipeline Project – replacing the channel system that provides an annual dam fill (for domestic and stock purposes) to rural properties north of Boort, with a continuous piped supply to on-farm tanks. The project was officially launched on 1 August. Construction will start shortly and is scheduled to be complete in late 2003. • Domestic and Stock Metering Project – installation of meters on small pipe outlets to domestic and stock customers in the region around Shepparton. The trial of meters has been completed. Following evaluation of meter performance, quantity of the amount of water used through small pipe outlets and customer consultation, the plan is to install meters on the biggest water users. Completion is planned for 2004. e at Woorinen LLayingaying newnew pipelinepipelin at Woorinen OTHER PROJECTS • Woorinen Pipeline Project - replacement of the leaking concrete channel system, which supplies the irrigation district near Swan Hill, with a new pumped pipeline system. The Government is contributing $9 million to the project. It will yield about 2000 megalitres of water savings. Goulburn-Murray Construction is ahead of schedule and Water Project Officer should be complete before June 2003. reads a combined instruments magnetic flow meter. 5 Journal entry 04/11/2002 River Health Aerial view of Snowy River & Orbost Improvement to the ecological health of the lower Snowy River requires a combination of increased flow rates and river rehabilitation works. Environmental remediation and Demonstration site rehabilitation of the lower Snowy River A new spillway and outlet will be constructed on the Jindabyne township side of the existing dam wall. Environmental releases will be drawn from near the reservoir surface to avoid adverse temperature problems. Photo Credit: Snowy River Mail The Government is also funding a $1.7 million trial by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority of in-stream and Anchored large woody riparian rehabilitation techniques. debris at the Orbost demonstration site for the Snowy River Rehabilitation Trial 6 Journal entry River Rehabilitation of 04/11/2002 World Importance The Victorian Government's ten-year budget for the Snowy Project is a very large commitment. The scope of the project is also large. It makes it one of the most important river restoration projects in the world, and presents a range of opportunities beyond the immediate benefits to the Snowy and Murray Rivers. In particular, the project is: • a case study/learning process for both governments and communities to improve the health of other rivers; • stimulating efficiency improvements in water supply infrastructure; and • leading to a better understanding of how to share our precious water resources between environmental, social and economic purposes. FURTHER INFORMATION Visit: www.nre.vic.gov.au. Click on Land and Water Management, then Water & The Snowy Project. Contact: Pam Enting Snowy Project Communications Phone: 9412 4156 Fax: 9412 4275 Email: [email protected] This is an occasional newsletter published electronically by NRE. The newsletter will keep the staff of NRE, Catchment Management Authorities and Goulburn-Murray Water up-to date with the progress of the Snowy Project. 7 COPYRIGHT © The State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources & Environment, 2002 This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical or graphic) without the prior written permission of the State of Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment. All requests and enquiries should be directed to the Copyright Officer, Library Information Services, Department of Natural Resources & Environment, 5/250 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002. GENERAL DISCLAIMER Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. 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